The US Geographical Survey (USGS) alerted the world to the 5.3 magnitude quake in North Korea. The explosion originated close to the only known nuclear test facility in the country. This is, thus far, the largest seismic activity in the region in the recent years.
The North Korean authorities have confirmed that the seismic activity was the result of the fifth nuclear test. The announcement claims that the North Korea now has the ballistic nuclear missile technology.
The statement posted on the Korean Central News Agency’s official site read:
“The standardization of the nuclear warhead will enable the DPRK [North Korea] to produce at will and as many as it wants a variety of smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear warheads of higher strike power.”
North Korea says capable of mounting nuclear weapon on ballistic missile, in statement confirming fifth test. pic.twitter.com/dvZuIz9A1L
— James Pearson (@pearswick) September 9, 2016
Pyongyang assured the world that the test was safe, with no environmental threats or nuclear leakages being reported. North Korea has also released a video that shows tremors in the adjoining region.
North Korea announces it successfully carried out 5th nuclear test pic.twitter.com/YUTZViaFgo
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) September 9, 2016
The South Korean President Park Geun-Hye said that in spite of the sanctions imposed, the repeated violation of the NPT by North Korea was nothing but ‘maniacal recklessness’ of Kim Jong-un. South Korea intends to consult with the US and Japan about the latest nuclear reactions conducted by DPRK.
“Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, now traveling in Laos with President Park Geun-hye, is seeking to have consultations with close allies.”
Japan has officially protested at the nuclear tests while Washington is in close contact with its regional allies and is keeping a close eye on the situation.
Pretty obvious that North Korea did a nuclear test. The seismic signal matches an underground nuclear detonation. pic.twitter.com/HZlBfNvFdv
— Eric S. (@AggieHist03) September 9, 2016
Previously, North Korea conducted a nuclear test of nearly six kilotons in January 2016, resulting in a tremor of 5.1-magnitude. However, this latest explosion is the largest nuclear test carried out by the country.